Brown sugar glazed carrots happen to be one of our all-time favorite side dishes ever!!
We first made them for Christmas over a decade ago, and we’ve been making them for holidays ever since. The butter and brown sugar bring out the flavor, and the carrots become so tender after cooking them that they literally melt in your mouth.
Now, the kids request these brown sugar glazed carrots for birthdays, special meals and every holiday dinner because they love them so much. Once you try them, you’ll easily see why they’re a favorite.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- They pair well with every main dish! This is the perfect vegetable side dish, especially for special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Quick and easy. Made with just a few ingredients and in 20 minutes.
- Many ways to make. This easy side dish can be made on the stove, in the oven, slow cooker, or instant pot!
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Ingredients
- Baby carrots (1, 16-ounce bag): You can also use larger carrots – peel and cut into coins or sticks. Just make sure the carrot slices are all equal in size.
- Water (½ cup): Steam cooks the carrots before the glaze reduces.
- Packed light brown sugar (2 tablespoons): Sweetens and creates a glossy, caramel kissed finish. Or use dark brown sugar or substitute with honey or maple syrup. Reduce brown sugar for less sweet carrots.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps the glaze coat smoothly. We use unsalted butter but salted butter can be used as well – just lessen the amount of salt added at the end.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Balances the sweetness and brightens flavor. Top with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. You can also squeeze an orange or lemon juice over the top for a bright twist.
How to Cook Glazed Carrots
BOIL. Bring carrots, water, butter, and brown sugar to a boil in a pan or large skillet over medium-high heat.
SIMMER. Turn to low, simmer for approximately 6 minutes.
EVAPORATE WATER. Turn back to high and cook until all the water is evaporated, and carrots are fork tender. It took me another 5-8 minutes.
SEASON & SERVE. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Keep the lid on during the first simmer so the carrots steam fast and stay tender.
- Remove the lid to reduce the liquid to a syrupy glaze that clings to the carrots.
- Taste at the end and add a pinch of salt to make the sweetness pop.
- For extra shine, swirl in a small pat of butter off the heat.
Alternative Cooking Methods:
- Slow cooker. Place the carrots in a greased crock pot. Combine melted butter, salt, pepper, brown sugar and water. Drizzle over carrots, mix until carrots are coated. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until carrots are tender.
- Oven. Place your baby carrots in a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and drizzle on 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.
- Instant pot. To cook in an instant pot or pressure cooker, place all ingredients in the pot, cover, and secure the vent. Set the pot to “sealing”, press “pressure cook” or “manual” button”. Set the timer for 3 minutes. Once done, manually release the pressure by switching the vent to “venting”.
Glazed Carrots Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine carrots, water, butter, and brown sugar in a pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce the heat to cook on low for approximately 6 minutes.
- Keeping covered, turn the heat back to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until all the water is evaporated and carrots are tender, another 5–6 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Add ⅓ cup pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans (chopped and toasted) after simmering for 6 minutes.
We suggest making them fresh, but if needed, you can make them a day ahead. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
To reheat, throw them back into a buttered pan, and cook until carrots are heated through.
Complete The Meal
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Roast Chicken Recipe
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This recipe was originally published March 2013.
Tasty but took wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy longer than 12 minutes to boil out all the liquid. I steamed the carrots first so they were more tender. But next time there will be no water involved.
I’m glad you enjoyed the carrots! Thanks for the feedback and giving the recipe a try.
Very good and so easy to fix
Great flavor and easy. But the carrots weren’t cooked enough. Too crunchy for us. I added another 1/2 cup of water, 1T butter and 1T brown sugar and up cooked the carrots for an additional 15 minutes on medium to get them soft.
Lid or no lid???
I do no lid for this recipe.
This was actually really good. Even had the wife and kids impressed so that’s huge haha. Took a bit longer on my stove but other than that, great recipe. The cinnamon and nutmeg was a great addition!
Thanks for the feedback. So glad it was a hit for your family too!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I made this for our residents and they loved it.
You’re welcome! So glad to hear the recipe was a hit!
My new favorite way to make carrots. So good and just the right amount of sweetness. Also the kids asked for 2nds. Thank you for such a good and easy recipe.
I have made this several times now and it’s a hit at my house. This is the only way I can get my child to eat cooked carrots!
That is definitely a win!! I’m so glad the recipe is a hit! Thanks for sharing.
Best ever!!! I make this all the time!!! My favorite carrot recipe EVER!!!!! 😊❤
Yay! So happy to hear you love the carrots!
Amazing recipe! My whole family enjoys theses glazed carrots. I always double it. Very tasty. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and that it was a hit with your family. Thanks so much for trying it!